Proverbs 23:12
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Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.
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Pay attention! This is no mundane proverb. Get your heart and ears into it. The desire for instruction and the willingness to hear correction are marks of nobility and virtue (12:1; 13:18; Acts 17:11). Very few apply themselves to learn knowledge and wisdom. They are more interested in entertainment and games. Study sounds far too much like work.
There are great differences among men. Some are winners; some are losers. Some are wise; some are foolish. Men make choices that either cost them wisdom or gain them wisdom. A noble and virtuous man will sacrifice other things in life in order to pursue wisdom, but a fool would rather hear himself talk (18:1-2; 15:14; 17:24; Eccl 10:12-15).
The man who seeks wisdom will have a happy and successful life, for he rightly understands the world, makes profitable decisions, and avoids pain and troubles. But the fool or scorner, arrogant in his own ignorance, goes on and is punished by his confused thinking and horrible decision-making (17:16; 11:29; 13:15; 14:16; 15:10; 22:3,5).
There are 1,440 minutes in every day. How many do you seek wisdom? How many do you pursue instruction? The average American watches television 3-4 hours, or about 210 minutes, every day; and there is not a single minute teaching wisdom. No wonder the nation is bankrupt financially and morally. Every minute of television costs you a minute for wisdom. Folly is the certain result for fans of Hollywood or spectator sports.
But television is not the only culprit in a pleasure-mad generation (II Tim 3:1-4). What about movies, school, magazines, books, music, sports, hobbies, lawn care, concerts, video games, Internet surfing, and idle chatter among many more? When a person chooses one of these activities, he forfeits the advice given by Solomon in this proverb.
Only a few great men and women will apply themselves to the pursuit of wisdom and reap the wonderful results (Matt 7:13-14). Can you focus on the goal and put forth the effort to learn true wisdom each day? Do you read your Bible daily? Do you attend a Bible-preaching church as often as possible? Pay attention to this proverb!
Solomon described a man committed to pursuing wisdom. He applies himself in various ways to the project, and he achieves his objective (2:1-9; 18:1). But the fool's mind wanders all day and night to the ends of the earth, though wisdom is right before him (17:24; 9:1-6; 14:6; 18:2). So David and Solomon emphasized the necessity of applying yourself to wisdom (5:1-2; 7:1-4; 8:32-36; 15:31-32; 22:17-21; 23:19,23; Ps 90:12).
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